Authorities demolished two illegal brick kilns in Rangamati’s Rajsthali upazila, shutting operations and fining owners Tk 400,000 for violating environmental laws during a joint mobile court drive.
Authorities on Tuesday demolished two illegally operated brick kilns in Rajsthali upazila of Rangamati district, a district in the south-eastern Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, and fined their owners a total of Tk 400,000 for violating environmental laws.
The operation was conducted in the afternoon through a joint initiative of the Rajsthali Upazila Administration and the Rangamati District Department of Environment.
The mobile court led by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Konkon Prova carried out separate drives at brick kilns located in the College Para and Khromong Para areas under Gaindya Union.
Mobile court sources said the kilns identified as KBW Bricks and BRB Bricks were operating without mandatory environmental clearance. Their furnaces were demolished, the establishments were permanently shut down and fines of Tk 200,000 were imposed on each kiln.
Deputy Director of the Rangamati District Department of Environment Mominul Islam said the action was taken after evidence of violations was confirmed during inspections.
Executive Magistrate Konkon Prova said bricks prepared for firing were destroyed with the assistance of the Fire Service and Civil Defence. She added that drives against illegal brick kilns would continue as part of efforts to protect the environment and ensure compliance with the law.
